It is the first time the pay of stars earning more than £150,000 has been made public.

The BBC has been compelled to reveal the information, including the pay of 96 of its top stars, under the terms of its new Royal Charter.

The total bill for the 96 personalities was £28.7m; but the figures in the report reveal large disparities between what men and women are paid.

Overall, 25 men on the talent list receive more than £250,000, compared to just nine women.

Speaking on LBC Radio, Prime Minister Theresa May said: "We've seen the way the BBC is paying women less for doing the same job... I want women to be paid equally."

When asked if Chris Evans was worth 12 of her, Mrs May - who earns about £150,000 - said: "What's important is that the BBC looks at the question of paying men and women the same for doing the same job."

"On gender and diversity, the BBC is more diverse than the broadcasting industry and the civil service," Lord Hall said.

"We've made progress, but we recognise there is more to do and we are pushing further and faster than any other broadcaster."

When asked if female talent working at the BBC would now be asking for pay rises, Lord Hall said: "We will be working carefully on our relationship with our talent."